This toolkit was created by young YMCA leaders from the U.S. and El Salvador to empower and guide communities in having meaningful conversations about violence and peace that might bring us one step closer to a more just world. Rooted in the lifelong work and research of Johann Galtung, this resource is based on his framework for understanding violence and peacebuilding in its direct, structural, and cultural forms.

The tools here are designed to help communities explore the complexities of violence, envision positive peace, and develop actionable peacebuilding strategies. We hope this content inspires leaders in your community to see themselves as peacebuilders. Through meaningful reflection and empowering dialogue, we aim for the resources, activities, and videos to ignite lasting change.

This toolkit is designed to provide you with flexible resources to create meaningful workshops, facilitate conversations, and lead activities in your community. Think of it as a set of puzzle pieces—you can assemble them in the way that best fits your needs.

To navigate the toolkit, explore the following sections:

• Peace & Violence: Learn about Johan Galtung’s framework for understanding peace and violence, complemented by reflections from peacebuilders.

• Peacebuilder Profiles: Get to know the peacebuilders featured in our video content—their backgrounds, experiences, and insights.

• Engage: Conversations on Peace: Watch video interviews where peacebuilders share their perspectives on violence, peace, and the role of data and storytelling in peacebuilding. Discover activity ideas that you can use to engage community groups in meaningful discussions and action.

• Resources: Access citations for research referenced in this toolkit, along with additional materials to support your peacebuilding efforts.

Use this toolkit in whatever way best serves your community—it’s here to support and inspire your work toward peace.